Little Traverse Conservancy

Preserve Guidelines

Guidelines for Conservancy Nature Preserves

Here's What to Expect

The Conservancy works hard to balance the public uses offered on our preserves to protect their natural integrity and scenic beauty for future generations.

Recreational, educational, and scientific use of the preserves is encouraged, as long as it does not interfere with our primary goals of preservation and protection.

We welcome you to explore and enjoy our beautiful preserves, keeping in mind that you are a temporary visitor to the homes of many plants and animals.

State law requires that ALL DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH while visiting preserves.

Please enjoy:

Hiking, bicycling, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, and similar low-impact, non-motorized activities.

Please refrain from these prohibited activities:

Snowmobiling, camping, fires, dumping or littering, removal of vegetation, off-road vehicles, digging and collecting of artifacts.

Please remember:

Hunting is allowed only on designated preserves and with written permission only. Contact the Conservancy office at (231) 347-0991 for more information or to receive a permission form. Below is a link to the online hunting form. Please note that you must print a copy of the form and have the signed form with you while hunting. Please observe these rules for hunting on a nature preserve.

Please note that pets are not allowed at the following preserves: Woollam Family Nature Preserve, Sally Stebbins Nature Preserve, Thorne Swift Nature Preserve, Waldron Fen Nature Preserve, and Vermilion Point Nature Preserve from May 1-August 15.

Please help us keep all of our preserves in good condition. Contact the Conservancy office at (231) 347-0991 if you notice any inappropriate activity on a preserve or if trails, parking areas, or signs need attention. Preserves and trails require a good deal of management and maintenance. We appreciate the assistance of the many individuals who help monitor and provide stewardship for our preserves and trails. Please contact our office if you are interested in participating in the Conservancy’s stewardship volunteer program.

Public parks are generally established to handle more intensive use than our nature preserves and are maintained by the state and local governments across the North. Those parks which have been founded with help from the Conservancy are identified. Please refer to the rules and regulations of the appropriate authorities when visiting these properties.

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